Upcoming events at LGNC:
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp At Home!
July 14-16, 2020
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp is a new, three-day nature camp for students in grades K-2. While we hope to meet at the Nature Center in 2021, this year’s campers and their families will receive camp kits!
Camp kits will include…
- A list of daily camp activities that campers can enjoy with their families from home, at their own pace
- Materials, such as nature story books, craft supplies, science equipment and more, that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Each day, campers (with assistance from a parent/guardian) will…
- Enjoy a virtual read-along story time with Nature Center staff
- Investigate birds, plants, insects, and other living things through interactive outdoor and indoor activities
- Share their discoveries with Nature Center staff and other campers through an end-of-day virtual gathering!
For more information: Click Here!
To apply: Click Here!
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp At Home!
July 14-16, 2020
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp is a new, three-day nature camp for students in grades K-2. While we hope to meet at the Nature Center in 2021, this year’s campers and their families will receive camp kits!
Camp kits will include…
- A list of daily camp activities that campers can enjoy with their families from home, at their own pace
- Materials, such as nature story books, craft supplies, science equipment and more, that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Each day, campers (with assistance from a parent/guardian) will…
- Enjoy a virtual read-along story time with Nature Center staff
- Investigate birds, plants, insects, and other living things through interactive outdoor and indoor activities
- Share their discoveries with Nature Center staff and other campers through an end-of-day virtual gathering!
For more information: Click Here!
To apply: Click Here!
Learn how LGNC brought life back to the mountainside during a 2.2-mile hike through the Gap!
Learn why birds migrate and how to identify autumn migrants, before taking a field trip to Bake Oven Knob in search of songbirds and raptors. Meet at the Osprey House.
Our annual celebration of hawk migration and Appalachian Mountain ecology. Learn about the annual fall spectacle of hawks and butterflies migrating along the Kittatinny Ridge and how to identify raptors. Activities throughout the day; schedule to be announced on lgnc.org.
American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee
All meetings are Thursdays, once a month, from 10 am – noon
There will be a breakfast buffet supervised by Head Chef Lee Sivak with your help.
These books will be available at the Palmerton and Slatington Libraries, at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and, at a cost, through Amazon.com
Please feel welcome to bring a friend. If you’d like to lead a discussion, contact Nancy Taras or Dan Kunkle.
Our 8th-annual art exhibition. View and/or purchase works from local artists. Vote for People’s Choice Award. Artists’ reception November 15.
Our information desk in the Osprey House is volunteer operated. If you are planning to attend the art show, PLEASE CALL AHEAD at 610-760-8889 to ensure that we are open.
“See All, Know All Owl” by Patty Passick
LGNC members are invited to join us for a campfire, and s’mores! Bring a flashlight if you have one.
Our 8th-annual art exhibition. View and/or purchase works from local artists. Vote for People’s Choice Award. Artists’ reception November 15.
Our information desk in the Osprey House is volunteer operated. If you are planning to attend the art show, PLEASE CALL AHEAD at 610-760-8889 to ensure that we are open.
“See All, Know All Owl” by Patty Passick
Our 8th-annual art exhibition. View and/or purchase works from local artists. Vote for People’s Choice Award. Artists’ reception November 15.
Our information desk in the Osprey House is volunteer operated. If you are planning to attend the art show, PLEASE CALL AHEAD at 610-760-8889 to ensure that we are open.
“See All, Know All Owl” by Patty Passick
Sign up for our email list!
Landscaping for Communities & Wildlife
Get the Latest Resources from our Conservation Landscaping Program:
News and Current Events:
LGNC Trail Closures
The D&L and LNE trails will be closed July 10 through 17 and intermittently from July 7 through 25 while PPL works to replace the transmission towers running through the Lehigh Gap. The southern section of the Prairie Warbler Trail between the Tannery (stone building) and the Woodpecker Trail is also closed until further notice.
The section of the D&L and LNE trails affected by this work is highlighted in red on the attached map. The D&L and LNE trails will be closed between the LGNC pavilion (arrow 1 on the map) and the Bobolink trail (arrow 2 on the map). PPL will be replacing the transmission lines and towers within that span of both trails. Please take note to stay off this portion of both trails when they are closed for your own safety.
To access the Appalachian Trail, hikers should take the northern Prairie Warbler trailhead to the Woodpecker Trail. I have attached a map, which we have also printed for the front desk.
As this work progresses, we will be posting updates on Facebook and lgnc.org. We will also be sending periodic email updates.
Thank you for your patience through this process.
LGNC Online Learning Series
Introducing a new online video series from LGNC!
While our in-person programs for schools and the community are on hold for the time being, our education team has been busy creating virtual education resources for all to use and enjoy! New videos are now being posted regularly to our YouTube page. In addition to species spotlights, we are putting together a variety of science lessons and virtual tours of the Refuge!
Here is the link to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/LGNC_YouTube
Be sure to like our videos and subscribe to our channel!!!
COVID-19
LGNC Osprey House Update (6/11/20)
Everyone is doing their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and so are we at LGNC. In light of current guidelines and the situation facing our nation, the Osprey House will remain closed to the public and all in-person programs will be cancelled until further notice.
This is a disappointment and an inconvenience for us all, but it is an important sacrifice to make to prevent matters from getting worse. We will continue to update the public regularly through Facebook, our website, and emails.
It is important to note that our trails will still remain open to the general public. Please be respectful of any temporary trail closures due to ongoing PPL transmission line work. Even when PPL construction is in progress, there are still plenty of trails to explore, and the Appalachian Trail is still accessible from our parking lot!
We want everyone using our trails to have a safe, healthy, and enriching experience. Hike on established trails only. Use of shortcuts and unofficial trails cause maintenance and safety issues. Please maintain a safe distance of 6 feet from other guests on the trails and in the parking lot.
Also, we ask that folks using our trails follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace found at this link: https://bit.ly/Leave_No_Trace_LGNC. In particular, we ask that you follow the principle regarding “pack in, pack out.” We do not have the capacity to handle the extra trash from a high influx of visitors. Just stash your trash in your backpack, pockets, etc. and take it with you.
Thank you and be safe and stay healthy!
-LGNC Staff
LGNC Restoration Mini Documentary
Dan Kunkle's Retirement and LGNC Transition!
Thanks to Times News Lehighton for their recent article on Dan Kunkle’s tenure as Executive Director of LGNC! While Dan will be retiring at the end of this month, he will be joining the LGNC Board as Director Emeritus. Current staff members Chad Schwartz and Brian Birchak will serve as Co-directors of the Nature Center beginning on January 1, 2020.
Remembering Michal Kubik
We at LGNC have the sad duty to inform you of the passing of Michal Kubik. Michal served as vice president and president of LGNC’s Board of Directors during the refuge land acquisition along the Kittatinny Ridge. His tenure also oversaw the building of the Osprey House and the development of LGNC into the community, education, and research center that it is today.
He was at the helm as LGNC went from idea to reality.
Remembering Bill Mineo
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Bill Mineo, one of LGNC’s founding members. We mourn the loss of this key figure in Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s creation and success. Click here for the Autumn 2017 Wildlife Activist (#81) to read a recent Board member spotlight article on Bill. Also, click here to view Bill’s obituary. Our condolences to the family.
